Some 100,000 Britons now living in Dubai

The lure of good business opportunities and a luxurious lifestyle have coaxed thousands of UK nationals overseas to live in the UAE.According to the fifth annual NatWest International Personal Banking Quality of Life Index, around 100,000 Britons are now living permanently or for a fixed period in Dubai, with many buying property in the UAE metropolis and joining thronging expat groups.The sheer number of people from the UK living in the emirate represents the largest western community.Indeed, the survey revealed that overall, 41 countries each have a population of British expats of at least 10,000, while 112 countries have a minimum of 1,000.Unsurprisingly, Dubai is one of the most popular places for expats to relocate to when coming to the country, followed closely by Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.Furthermore, Dubai is considered to be the top business hub in the Middle East and Africa region, with the vast majority of Brits living in the UAE falling under the category of high-salary, white-collar professionals.There are also many opportunities for teachers in the Emirates.Globally, there are now 74,264 educators from the UK working in British international schools around the world and by 2013 this number will have risen by 54 per cent to 115,000.The UAE - and Dubai in particular - is one destination that is seeing a large rise in demand for such institutions and professionals, because, according to the report, many people believe they are giving their children a better education if the school's first language is English.Head of NatWest International Personal Banking Dave Isley said: "The increase in the number of English-speaking international schools means that the skills offered and the role teachers play in the community will continue to be in demand."British expats have become unofficial ambassadors and are helping to shape the local communities in which they choose to live, with all of them projecting some of their own nationality onto their new home in some way.Mr Isley remarked: "[They] are our ambassadors abroad and are playing a pivotal role in promoting values and best practices."